Delegates broke with the norm by holding a dialogue with stakeholders during “normal negotiating hours,” in Punta del Este, Uruguay, for day two of the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-1) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment.
Want to dive deeper? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.
Led by INC Chair Gustavo Meza-Cuadra, Peru, the morning session saw delegations continue to share their broad visions for what a treaty addressing the entire lifecycle of plastic could look like. Several shared national measures to curb plastic pollution, with some providing examples of local and national work on marine plastic prevention, and others focusing on bans and taxes on certain single-use plastic products. A number of others also shared challenges and experiences in their work related to microplastics in the environment.
In their priorities for the INC, several reiterated the importance of addressing the entire lifecycle of plastics, with some including plastic production as part of this lifecycle. Several others also prioritized design standards of plastic products.
In the afternoon, during an innovative session organized by the INC Secretariat, a stakeholder dialogue took place. Delegates heard from two panels, comprising representatives from government, civil society, academia and the private sector, including plastic producers. Panelists highlighted, among several other issues:
- legally binding measures to hold polluters liable for plastic waste;
- recognizing and protecting the human rights of communities from the effects of plastic pollution;
- resource mobilization for waste management in developing countries;
- addressing plastic product design standards;
- reducing plastic production and use to avoid recycling altogether;
- scientific, technical, and financial support for the most vulnerable to the impacts of plastic pollution; and
- recycling only when it is safe for those doing so.
To receive free coverage of global environmental events delivered to your inbox, subscribe to the ENB Update newsletter.
All ENB photos are free to use with attribution. For photos please use: Photo by IISD/ENB | Angeles Estrada Vigil
Plenary
Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Executive Secretary, Secretariat of the INC for Plastic Pollution
Tushara Maharaj, Trinidad and Tobago
Mohsina Akter, Bangladesh
Kirving Lañas, Panama
Meri Harutyunyan, Armenia
Saudi Arabian Delegates
Christopher Chin, The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education
Sadiye Bilgic Karabulut,Türkiye
Ali Issa, Syrian Arab Republic
Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions
Roman Filonenko, Ukraine
Russian delegate requesting a point of order
Athuman Ngenya, Tanzania
Lev Neretin, Food and Agriculture Organization
Rebecca Nora Alcolea Krauss, Global Compact
Kate Robertson, World Health Organization
Carmen Cristina Capriles Flores, Women Engage for a Common Future
Carlos Javier Aulet Verde, International Trade Union Confederation
Stakeholder dialogue at the first session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment
Anjali Acharya, World Bank; Dominic Waughray, WBCSD; and Elaine Lucero, EcoWaste Coalition, Philippines
Zuhair Ahmed Kowshik, Facilitator, Major Group for Children and Youth of UNEP
Soledad Mella Vidal, Waste Picker from Chile, Global Alliance of Waste Pickers
Stewart Harris, Global Plastics Policy at American Chemistry Council
Bethanie Carney Almroth, University of Gothenburg
Yuyun Ismawati, Nexus3 Foundation, Indonesia
Danny Rahdiansyah, Deputy Permanent Representative for UNEP and UN-Habitat, Indonesia
Bernie Besebes, Environmental Quality Protection Board, Palau
Erica Nunez, Ocean Foundation; and Oliver Boachie, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana
Jodie Roussell, Nestlé
Trisia Farrelly, Massey University, New Zealand
Manuel Pulgar Vidal, Ambassador of the Climate Action Agenda and Champion of the Convention on Biological Diversity Action Agenda